The scholarship awards approximately 80 places annually, with 55 reserved for international students, including Pakistanis. Around 70% of scholarships go to PhD candidates, though Master's students are also eligible.

The program is open to citizens from any country except the United Kingdom who are applying for full-time postgraduate programs at Cambridge, including PhD, Master's, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate courses. Current Cambridge students can also apply if pursuing a new postgraduate course, such as moving from an MPhil to a PhD.

About the Scholarship

Number of Awards: About 80 per year

Who Gets It: Non-UK students, focus on leaders and helpers

Study Areas: All subjects at Cambridge

Past Winners: Over 2,000 from 100+ countries

Current Group: 250 scholars from 50+ countries

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Students:

• Citizens from any country except the United Kingdom
• Students applying for full-time postgraduate programs at Cambridge
• Applicants pursuing PhD, Master’s, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate courses

Important Note: Current Cambridge students can also apply if they wish to pursue a new postgraduate course, for example, moving from an MPhil to a PhD.

Also Read: Japan offers fully-funded scholarships for Pakistani students

Scholarship Coverage:

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support:

Additional Support Available:

• Academic development funding: £500 to £2,000 for conferences and courses
• Family allowance: Up to £11,604 for one child, £16,548 for two or more children
• Fieldwork funding for PhD students
• Maternity/paternity support for up to 6 months

Selection Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on four main qualities:

1.     Academic Excellence: Outstanding academic record and intellectual ability

2.     Course Choice: Strong reasons for choosing your specific program

3.     Commitment to Others: Dedication to improving the lives of others

4.     Leadership Potential: Capacity to lead and create positive change

Application Deadlines

For US Citizens (living in the USA):

• October 15, 2025 (noon, local US time)

For International Students:

• December 3, 2025 OR January 7, 2026 (depending on your chosen course)

How to Apply

The application process is integrated with the Cambridge University admission:

Step 1: Apply for admission to your chosen course through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal

Step 2: Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section within the same application

Step 3: Submit required documents:

• Personal statement (approximately 500 words, maximum 3000 characters)
• Two academic references for admission
• One Gates Cambridge reference focusing on leadership and social impact
• Answers to application questions about the four selection criteria

Step 4: If shortlisted, attend an interview (virtual or in-person)

Courses NOT Eligible

Some programs cannot be funded by Gates Cambridge:

• Undergraduate degrees (BA)
• Part-time courses
• Certain short-term professional degrees

For complete course eligibility, check the Cambridge Course Directory.

Important Things to Know

• Approximately two-thirds of awards go to PhD students, with about 25 awards for US applicants and 55 for international applicants
• Results are typically announced in early March
• The scholarship does not cover bench fees or laboratory equipment costs
• There are currently about 250 Gates Scholars from 50 countries studying at Cambridge

Application Tips

• Start your Cambridge admission application early
• Clearly explain how you meet all four selection criteria
• Use specific examples of your leadership and commitment to helping others
• Ensure your Gates reference focuses on the scholarship criteria, not just academic achievements
• Submit all documents before the deadline

Apply now: www.gatescambridge.org